Clamp



S. R. BUTLER Aug. 9, 1938.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m WI/ d f d a a Mr A g- 1938. s. R BUTLER 2,126,308

CLAMP Filed July 6, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Inveni0r Jaw M "JUN'IQTEDSTATES Patented Aug. 9, 1938 TENT OFFICE CLAMP Samuel R. Butler, GrandIsland, Nebr. Application July 6, 1937, Serial No. 152,198

3 Claims.

Myinvention relates to improvements in clamps foruse in dental work andmore particularly for securing denture, matrix bands, ,so called, inproperposition for the filling of teeth. -;,The invention is designedwith the particular Qblect in View of providing an efficient, inexpen--sive device for positioning a matrix band along side, oraround, a toothto be filled, drawing the band taut into close contact with the toothand clamping the same in taut position.

Another object is to provide a device for the purposesabove set forthwhich is equipped for tensioning the matrix band to break the samewhendesired.

Other objects together with the precise nature of my improvements willbe readily understood when the following description and claims are readwith reference tothe drawings accompanying and forming part of thisspecification.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan illustrating the manner in which a matrixband is applied in the practice of my, invention,

Figure ,2 is a view in side elevation of a tensioning, and clamping unitforming part of my invention,

Fi gure 3 is a view in longitudinal section taken on theline 3-3 ofFigure 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows,

,Figure l is a perspective view of a frame form ing part of the clampingand tensioning unit,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a denture matrix band,

Figured is a view in transverse section taken on theline 6 -6 of Figure1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure '7 is a similar view taken on the line 1-1 of Figureql looking inthe opposite direction as indicated by the arrows, I

V Figure 8 is a view in front elevation of a rear, or.l ingual side,matrix guide member, and Figure 9 is a view in rear elevation of saidrear guide member.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the basic part of my invention isa combined tensioning and clamping unit comprising an elongated U-shapedframe 2 preferably of flat metal and having a closed end 3 and roundedfree ends l on top and bottom arms 5 and 6 respectively. Pivotallymounted at one end thereof, as at l, between the free ends 4 of theframe 2 for lateral swinging movement of the frame thereon, or viceversa, is a front, or buccal side, matrix guide member 8. The free endof the front guide member 8 is provided with convergent concave sides 9and an oblique top edge In, said sides and edge tapering to a point forfitting into the interdental space between adjoining teeth one of whichis to be filled. Intermediate its ends the guide member 8 is formed witha pair of flanges l l upon opposite sides thereof, respectively, andextending. from the top to the bottom thereof, each flange having formedtherein a lengthwise extending slot I2.

Between the arms 5 and 6 ,ofthe frame 2 is a block like tensioningmember i3 slidably mounted thereon for adjustment endwise thereof, saidtensioning member having formed therein upper and lower guideways M inwhich said arms 5 and 6 are countersunk. A pair of clamping levers l5are pivotally mounted, as at it, upon opposite sides of the tensioningmember i3, said levers comprising rounded pivoted ends I! spaced fromthe sides of the member 53 for the passage of the matrix bandtherebetween, and said ends I! being pivoted eccentrically for coactionwith said sides of the member i3 to clamp the band between said ends andsaid sides when the levers l 5 are moved toward said member. Anadjusting hand screw is threaded through the closed end 3 of the frame 2and suitably mounted at its inner end, as at H), in the member itprovides for adjusting said memher.

The described tensioning and clamping unit is designed to be used with arear, or lingual, matrix guide member 20 having a front end identicalwith the described front end of .the front guide member 8 and adaptedfor insertion in the interdental space between the two aforesaid teethfrom the lingual side thereof in opposed relation to the front guidemember 8. The rear guide member 2!! also: includes a pair of lateralflanges 2 l, slotted, as at 22, parallel with theslots i2 of the frontguide member 8 when said guide members are positioned as described. Aswill be understood when said guide members 8 .and 20 are sopositioned-the slots on opposite sides of one member are related to theslots on the corresponding sides of the other member. The rear guidemember 20 has a tail boss 23 laterally slotted, as at 24, and a setscrew 25 threaded into said boss to traverse the slot 24.

Referring to the use and operation, in preparing a tooth for the fillingof a side cavity, such as shown at 2B in Figure 1, and with the aid ofthe usual matrix band, such as shown at 21 in Figure 5, the band 2! isdisposed between the tooth 28 to be filled and the adjoining one 29adjacent to the cavity. In the further practice of the describedinvention, one end of the band 2! is inserted through the appropriateslot 22 in the rear guide member 2|] and clamped to said guide member byinserting said end through the slot 24 and turning the set screw 25thereagainst. The rear guide member 20 is then inserted into the properinterdental space, as shown in Figure 1, with the intermediate stretchof the band 21 trained between the teeth 28 and 29. The other end of theband 21 is trained through the related slot l2 in the front guide member8 and clamped between the related side of the tensioning member 13 andthe appropriate clamping lever i5 in a manner which will be readilyunderstood. The front guide member 8 is then appropriately inserted inthe interdental space opposite to the rear guide member 20 with theframe 2 swung straight out, or in other words, aligned with the frontand rear guide members 8 and 20. The hand screw i8 is then manipulatedto pull the matrix band 21 taut. The frame 2 is then swung inwardly onthe pivot 1 toward the mouth and in the direction of the side thereof towhich the matrix band 27 is clamped. This operation kinks the matrixband 21 around the edge of the slot l2 through which it is trained tothereby frictionally lock said band in taut position. If the band M isnot sufiiciently taut greater tension may be obtained by furtheradjustment of the tensioning member l3 after the frame 2 has been swunginto the position indicated. The extent to which the frame 2 is swung isoptional. Preferably said frame should extend in its swung positionsubstantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the frontguide member 8 as shown in Figure 1. As will be clear by the initialtensioning of the matrix band 21, as described, the front and rear guidemembers 8 and 20 are forced home simultaneously with such tension and bythe swinging of the frame 2, as described, said guide members are lockedin home position under the tension exerted on said band. 'When it isdesired to remove the matrix band 27, the end thereof clamped to thetensioning member l3 may be released by proper movement of theappropriate clamping lever I5 and the other end released by looseningthe set screw 25. The guide members 8 and 20 and the frame 2 may be thenremoved and the matrix band 2? torn in two in the usual manner andpulled out. If desired the matrix band may be notched as at 30 to weakenthe same, at an appropriate point, and a sufficient tension exertedthereagainst by the setting of the tensioning member 13 to snap the bandin two at the weakest point. The parts may then be removed as desired.

As will be clear either side of the described devices may be used intensioning and clamping the band 2! in accordance with the location ofthe tooth to be filled.

In another use of the invention the matrix band 21 may be looped arounda tooth and both ends thereof inserted through the slots I2 of the frontclamping member 8 and clamped to opposite sides of the tensioning member[3 by means of both levers l5 and said band tensioned by adjustment ofthe hand screw l8 with the frame 2 swung into alignment with thelongitudinal axis of the front guide member 8. In this use the band 21may be appropriately positioned for the filling of a cavity in the rearside of a tooth.

Other uses and operations of the invention may be resorted to, but it isnot deemed essential to a clear understanding of the invention to enterinto such other uses and operations herein.

Manifestly the invention as described is susceptible of modificationwithout departing from the inventive concept and right is hereinreserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. In a dental clamp for use with a denture matrix band, a pair of frontand rear guide members, respectively, for insertion in opposed relationin the inter-dental spaces between adjacent teeth, one member includingmeans for securing one end of said band thereto, and the other memberbeing provided with a guide slot for the passage of an intermediateportion of said band therethrough, and manipulative means on said othermember for gripping the other end of the band and tensioning the same,and comprising a swingably mounted clamping and tensioning unit.

2. In a dental clamp for use with a denture matrix band, a pair of frontand rear guide members, res ectively, for insertion in opposed relationin the inter-dental spaces between adjacent teeth, one member includingmeans for securing one end of said band thereto, and the other memberbeing provided with a guide slot for the passage of an intermediateportion of said band therethrough, and manipulative means on said othermember for gripping the other end of the band and tensioning the same,and comprising a swingably mounted unit including cooperating clampingdevices, and means for adjusting said devices toward or from said othermember.

3. In a dental clamp for use with a denture matrix band, a pair of frontand rear guide members, respectively, for insertion in opposed relationin the inter-dental spaces between adjacent teeth, one member includingmeans for securing one end of said band thereto, and the other memberbeing provided with a guide slot for the passage of an intermediateportion of said band therethrough, and manipulative means on said othermember for gripping the other end of the band and tensioning the same,and comprising a G

